Put and take / property size?

[IvW]

I would not hunt there....

 

[buck wild]

Put and Take conjures up something different to me than "stocking", although from a purist stand point any animals brought unto a property for any reason might be considered put and take.

Others have lists several reasons for bringing in animals not natively born on the place through self sustaining herds but I'd add another- need to meet hunter demand, which has been referenced by others. And that doesn't mean ready to shoot at the time they are stocked. What about bringing in a herd of 3-4 yr old kudu bulls that will need several more years to mature? An operation may need to do that bc the local kudu herd on the property and/or not enough pure available habitat to sustain the yearly harvest rate. You shoot one 3-4 yrs later, do you consider that "Put and Take"?

Everyone will have their opinion. If indeed the purchasing and stocking of any animals meets that definition for you and is off limits, then go see which outfits are purchasing at the auctions. BTW that might also blow a hole in a few sponsors, just saying. I'm fine with stocking younger animals that will be hunted years later. Personally for me, P&T is indictive of larger/mature animals that tend to stare at you as your drive by. Not always the case but in many instances. If an animal was stocked early in their life and has become acclimated to surviving on the property, then I'm good with it.

 

[HankBuck]

Well folks, this isn’t intended as a can of worms so please bear with me as it’s meant with good intentions.


I’ve just read an old thread from 2012 as I’m keen to try my best to avoid somewhere that’s put and take. Now, I can completely understand possibly buying in a couple of males as a one off to vary the genetics. Or, if you’re starting up an new area to be hunted as a self sustaining population 10 years down the line. But the thought that animals are being bought in on a regular basis for shooting doesn’t appeal to me.

Is there a certain acreage where the populations are likely to be self sustaining without put and take?

What sort of size of property do you need where it would be classed as vast? So the animals can completely disappear never to be seen again? It’s run for 2 miles and gone into another valley idea.

Or do you need to solely hunt cattle farms for peace of mind? I suspect you could ask the guides in advance but that is relying on honesty and transparency,(with folk you’ve never met as a first time hunt).


I’m not wishing to criticise anyone or any outfitter. Just trying to work out how I can ensure that a hunt is ‘fair chase’. I appreciate the majority of SA is high fence purely to manage their properties and I can come to terms with that. I just want to avoid somewhere that routinely “tops up” like a trout fishery if that makes sense.


Thanks!

I faced your same dilemma when a friend asked me to join him on a Safari SA 15 years ago. I did very little research but my lack of interest in Plains Game only combined with the high fence was enough to dissuade me. My friend went alone, had a great time and took many nice animals. He relayed to me that some concessions were over 30,000 acres and smallest was 9000 - it was also very economical considering how many heads he took. He is relatively ethical and therefore passed up a nice warthog that was very close to the fence. Also, his taxidermy work was all completed in SA and was outstanding quality. He returned a year later and later went to Zimbabwe for Buff. I eventually went to Tanzania and enjoyed my hunt very much (Buff & PG, also passed up hippo & croc - just had No interest in either). Overall my Safari cost more and I took fewer animals then I would’ve in SA...also had to have all taxidermy completed in US - but I enjoyed the experience, being in a tented camp - well cared for, great food, and better then any NY City hotel I’ve ever stayed in.